Vessel Notification Requirements

We require accurate information about your vessel in advance of its movement on the River Thames for several reasons:

To avoid unnecessary delays to your vessel

To provide an efficient service to your vessel

To meet statutory requirements

Much of the information we ask you for is required under United Kingdom Law related to the safe management of vessel traffic. If you do not provide us with this information we will not be able to accept the notification for your vessel.

The Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2014 and the Dangerous Goods in Harbour Areas Regulations 2016 require detailed information about your vessel's planned voyage. There are also obligations under the EU Directive 2010/65/EU with reference to reportable information.

In the case of a vessel requiring a Pilot we will not be able to provide your vessel with a Pilot until all the information required by the PLA and by United Kingdom Law is provided.

In the case of a vessel not requiring a Pilot your vessel may be refused entry into the Port of London until all the information required by the PLA and by United Kingdom Law is provided.

If you do not provide the information marked as mandatory we will not be able to accept your notification and your entry may be rejected and returned to you for correction. Additionally, your vessel may be refused access to the Port of London until the relevant information required by law has been provided.

All voyage notifications must be submitted online via the PISCES system. In order to meet EU obligations for ‘reportable information’ where applicable the Waste, Hazardous (inward and outward bound) and security fields of the latest version of the MCA CERS 'Workbook' must be completed and attached to the PISCES submission. The latest version of the MCA Workbook can be downloaded from the www.gov.uk website. For any questions regarding completion of the ‘Workbook’ please email CERS3@mca.gov.uk.